Far Away Eyes’ Review: “The Born-Again Identity”
Kacey Rohl played Marin and made us sympathize with her character’s predicament. She showed us how scared and alone her character felt—and how relieved she was that Sam would listen and help. Even so, Rohl also showed how freaked out Marin was by Sam. The pause when Sam all but admitted that he was hearing Lucifer signaled her apprehension to continue talking with him. She showed Marin’s desperation to rid herself of her brother’s ghost—and her grief at his death. The setting, and her character’s predicament also reflected another mental patient in season 4: Anna. Instead of being tied to the angels or the mythology, however, she served a better purpose as Rohl played a good foreshadow to Sam’s later healing. Sam helped her as Cas would later help him.
Rachel Miner reprises Meg in an unusual way—adding yet another layer to the longstanding character. Ever the survivalist and power grabber, she has no qualms about becoming a Winchester ally once again. Miner makes Meg have bite and sass, a combination that marks the character well. The other demons around her largely had no personality and ended quickly, but she had vivid color. Miner also gives Meg enough mystery to make us question her motives. Is she going to turn against the brothers? What is her draw to Castiel? Miner keeps us guessing, and her mannerisms and posture in the last scene gives us a sense of unease. Her helping Cas is only to further her own agenda, and yet it feels almost like there’s something more there.
Mark Pellegrino continues to show how much fun he has playing Lucifer. He is obnoxious and overbearing in his scenes with Sam, conveying Lucifer’s delight at tormenting the younger Winchester. He brings out Lucifer’s sinister playfulness in gestures and tone of voice. His use of props in this episode added another layer to Lucifer’s endless mental attacks. The megaphone in Pellegrino’s hands gave his character more ammunition that made things all the more heartbreaking—yet added a strange and sadistic humor to the scene. Pellegrino certainly knows how to add flair to a villain, and it shows time and time again as he appears as Lucifer. He affected smug expressions upon having his victims—first Sam and then Cas—cornered. Pellegrino captivates while on screen, drawing attention to his narcissistic character by any means necessary. If he isn’t making a lot of noise, he’s making unwanted but biting quips. Pellegrino even allows for Lucifer to show mock sympathy as he does when Sam is running from him in the alley. His remark, “Come on, Sam. Tell the nice tweaker. You’d be sleeping by now if the devil would just leave you alone for five seconds. Stupid Satan. Chasing you all the way to… Where the hell are we?” is flippant and cruel, and the way Pellegrino delivers it lingers long after the episode.
Misha Collins return to Supernatural was more than a fan could ask for. He displayed Castiel’s struggle with memory well—all while making him familiar. The angel mannerisms were back—even before he regained his abilities. He put it in small gestures and vocal tone. His facial expressions belied Cas’s confusion while Emmanuel, and his remorse upon return of his memories. It felt, at times, that his character hadn’t left. Collins found a way to seamlessly insert himself back into the landscape of “Supernatural,” and instead of the villain he left us as in “Hello, Cruel World,” he returned as a friend. Collins showed us a more human Castiel—even upon regaining his memories. His facial expressions of defeat and regret cut to the quick, and he does so with simple gestures such as casting his eyes down and hunching his shoulders. Castiel may have had familiar ticks, but he is not as stiff as he once was before. His final scene, sitting on the hospital bed in the white patient outfit was heartbreaking—not only due to his sacrifice, but because of his broken expression.
Ackles showed us how far Dean has grown in this season in so many ways. His reaching out to Bobby’s contacts, making the same conversation over and over about missing him hit home. The way he spoke and interacted on the phone showed Dean’s emotions, and Ackles put everything out on the table. What he didn’t put in Dean’s voice, he put on Dean’s face. He looked haggard the more he struck out. In scenes with Collins, Ackles slipped into an old routine. When Cas missed a reference, while Dean rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation, Ackles made certain to show Dean’s happiness at doing so again. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, even if he didn’t show it to the angel—all a testament to how well Ackles know his character’s mannerisms. He demonstrated Dean’s relief upon regaining his brother in the final scene, looking across the way at Sam as he’s done a million times before—and yet sorrow marked him in his high and tight shoulders as they had to leave Castiel behind.
Jared Padalecki showed the many facets of Sam’s character. He showed how tired Sam was in many ways—from squinting and yawning to nearly teetering on his feet. (Now with little Thomas Colton here, this might become more reality!) He showed Sam’s care and concern for Marin in vocal tone. The snaps and snarls of “Out with the Old” were gone and replaced with the more normal sympathetic Sam. Soft spoken and gentle, Sam made sure not to encroach or intimidate Marin. Padalecki made us see how bad Lucifer affected him through flinches and a tight jaw. He paced the room, trapped with his hallucinations, showing how Sam wanted to run away from them—yet couldn’t. Padalecki showed us how Sam has remained the same from season 1 in hope and determination—all with the wisdom of Sam’s experiences through seven seasons. (Shallow moment: Sam in white is always treat, be it him in a white suit while Lucifer’s wearing his face or here in a mental ward in a patient’s outfit. White is certainly his color! End shallow moment).
Castiel may have absorbed Sam’s hell hallucinations, but the last moment as they drive away, Padalecki shows again how sympathetic Sam is. Padalecki shows this in his face with a sorrowful expression and glance at the hospital he’s just escaped. Sam knows these hallucinations, and while he no longer carries them as a burden, the memories are still there for him to deal with in the aftermath. He surely will have to address and deal with them at some point.
Though, that doesn’t look like the case next week—as Garth crashes the party and ends up needing the Winchesters’ help out of a bind!
Sam broke my heart this episode. He was being so strong, despite the utter weariness in his every movement. I loved that he seemed so worried about Cas at the end. Despite what Cas did to him he seemed to hold no grudges and moved directly to concern about a friend.
Misha and Jensen performances were fantastic as well. I thought Miner was a little off this episode, but normally like her.
Can’t wait for the aftermath this week. To see what Sam is like now that it is not Satan-vision 24/7. And how Dean is now that Sam is off the crazy-train and Cas has redeem himself for breaking Sam.
Sam really showed his character here in more ways than one and that’s probably why it was so powerful for me, too. He gave and gave even when he had nothing left in the tank. I agree that he seemed to also put what Cas did behind him and felt concern for him instead. That’s powerful.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Dean does now, too. He’s been watching, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It did. Now Sam’s been “fixed.” Something tells me that he’ll still be waiting for something bad for Sam.
Thanks for the comments!
After having a few days to digest this episode, a few things stick out to me.
I don’t think Crowley cancelled the “do not harm” on the Winchesters. I got the impression that this batch of demons found out about Emmanuel and decided on their own that his capture was more important than keeping Winchesters alive. I don’t think Crowley knew about Emmanuel. I think Dean was the one that said – all the demons that knew were dead. I think like the demon in “Time for a Wedding” they were trying to get ahead in the hierarchy. If they had succeeded in killing the Winchesters, it would have been an “Oops, we’re sorry but look who we found.” Crowley has implied more than once that his control of the demons is not the best.
Makes me wonder also how many days Sam was awake. In the alley, Lucifer said it had been 5 days. Now when Dean went to find help, there was at least a night and day when he was calling people. Then when he was driving home with Cas, they started out in daylight – nighttime with Meg in car – daylight to get to the hospital. Assuming that the trip out was the same distance 😀 Sam had to have been close to the 11 day mark referred to by Lucifer or then some. And if Dean and Sam left immediately after the “shift”, how did they explain Cas being there and not Sam? I am surprised that Sam did not immediately pass out for days once Luci-vision got disconnected.
Overall LOVED this episode!!! Can’t wait for the rest of the season.
I agree with you that Crowley may not have canceled his protection of Sam and Dean. Meg may not even be “an army of one”. The demons could have been her allies used to convince Dean that she is on their side. Or, as you stated, they may have their own agenda. Demons lie.
I think, in hindsight, you’re absolutely right. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those demons (ie the ones that attacked at Cas’s house or the gas station) weren’t in Meg’s group. Those at the hospital were simply looking to get a leg up in Crowley’s eyes by eliminating the Winchesters and capturing Cas. I think you’re onto something most certainly.
I think Sam was reaching that 11 day limit, yes. It is a specific number to throw out and until Cas showed up to smite the demon torturing him and then “heal” his physical condition, I think he was reaching that limit.
Thanks for the comments! I love seeing what others pull out from an episode.
I don’t know why I didn’t pick it up before but just now reading your reply. When you put “heal” in quotes, it jumped out at me. I have a feeling that is part of what Cas did when he shifted Lucifer. He healed Sam’s exhaustion that was caused by sleep deprivation, which in turn explains why he did not immediately pass out. At least [i]that[/i] question is answered well enough for me . . . as for the rest of the questions running through my mind – the answers are hopefully coming.
It would make sense. If Cas healed Sam from the electroshock, why not restore his body to fully rested, too? He healed THAT first, then admitted he couldn’t fix the broken wall.
I think there’s a few more things that will have to be answered as we go along. I’d think, judging by the last scene with Meg, that it might have been a day or so after the healing that Sam and Dean left and she went in for the interview, but that’s my best guess.
I agree with you, Beverly, I think Cas healed most of the internal damage already caused by his condition or he would have still been very weak. He still had the contusions on his face and bruises under his eyes, so my guess – he chowed down and then slept for a week!
Nice review on a great episode. I think the performances were outstanding in this one. It always impresses me how these actors have so embraced all the aspects of their characters, and how consistent the mannerisms of each of them are (which you alluded to above, I believe). Jensen and Jared always impress, but I was particularly struck at the level of poignancy Misha brought onscreen as Cas remembered, and was then filled with regret, over his past actions.
The one disapointment I had in this episode was the lack of a brotherly moment. While Dean of course showed deep concern over what was happening to Sam, there wasn’t a real moment between the boys, which really would have delivered an emotional punch, especially when Sam’s hallucinations finally stopped. For me, it would have made the whole episode that much more memorable.
Actually, in my opinion, this season has been short on the brotherly moments (with the exception of 7.02). Not that the stories haven’t been good, but I miss those scenes that really showed in a blatant way how bonded Sam and Dean are.
I still loved this episode, though!
Glad you liked my take on this episode.
I really loved the moment between Sam and Dean as they talked about Dean getting Sam a healer. I felt that was a strong moment, but I agree with you that it would have been nice to see something post Lucifer scrambling Sam’s brain. I am hoping we’ll see that in future episodes.
What I love about the relationship this season is—once the Amy thing had been put to rest—is how comfortable they seem around each other. They’re not hiding too much from one another–even if I think they’re trying to a degree at different points—and they seem much more on a level playing field as partners. Dean doesn’t simply lead and Sam follow. They seem to make decisions together and that’s a great dynamic shift I’ve noticed throughout this season.
This episode really hit home the beauty of Sam and Dean as people and how despite all their difficulties they don’t give up on hope. That’s impressive.
As for the acting, it blew me away. The littlest gesture or facial expression meant something. I wish I knew more about the craft of acting than I do to really give it justice. It’s a shame that episodes such as this don’t get recognized for Emmys and such when they rightfully should.
I want to state for the record that I find your review to be the best out of all of the ones I have read (and I have read a lot of them). You catch all of the nuances and focus on the details of the episode and do a fantastic job connecting the dots. Kudos! I noticed some reviews talked about Sam out seeking drugs – I do not think he was, I think he was just desperately trying to run from Lucifer (fight or flight response) and happened to run into the dealer, who offered him a sliver of hope. Referencing the acting craft – I spent years in drama and started out a college theater student, so I have a high appreciation of the work these actors are doing. Memory skills must be very strong, not only for lines but body memory. How they move and hold their bodies in regards to the technical end (i.e. lighting and camera positions) must be in the back of their minds even while digging into the emotions of their character and letting their bodies respond to that emotion. A true actor doesn’t decide how their face will look in accordance with a certain emotion, they connect with that emotion as the character and allow their bodies to react to that feeling. It is a real juggling act and a testament as to how good these actors are at what they do. The complexity of the focus needed just leaves me in awe of their abilities. They will go far in this business.
Thank you. I am so glad you liked my review. The bulk of what you read here is first impression, spit out upon the end of watching the episode and then refined after a rewatch. I just try to let the story speak to me. So I’m glad you got something out of my take.
I agree. Sam isn’t a druggie. He ended up in the bad part of town and ran into that dealer who just happened to offer something that MIGHT shush Lucifer. It also foreshadowed that the medications the psych ward provided would fail, too.
I loved reading you snippet on what an actor goes through to perform in a scene. Jared told me a little when I asked him in NJ. I just know I’m a writer and really wouldn’t know where to begin in acting. I was in one play and didn’t even get to say my ONE line (long story). I’d have to think it’s a lot more work than anyone imagines—and those who do it well make it look damn easy!
Thanks again!